Poaching rhinos / elephants, etc. Is it as bad as we are told?
Jun 6, 2013, 3:10 am
#61
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In contrast to what is going on in East Africa, the opposite is happening in the US, with billionaires and other wealthy environmental orgs buying up millions of acres from cattle ranchers to turn back into natural Buffalo habitat, creating an 'American Serengeti' http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-0...land-grab.html Pretty cool.
I lived in N.W.T. in Canada growing up, right beside Wood Buffalo national park, which is still the largest national park in America. Simply an amazing place.
I lived in N.W.T. in Canada growing up, right beside Wood Buffalo national park, which is still the largest national park in America. Simply an amazing place.
Jun 7, 2013, 10:47 am
#62
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...bloodiest-week
Bad week for Rhino in Kenya:
Kenya has just increased the penalties for wildlife crimes. Whether those involved actually get prosecuted is another question.
But not just Kenya:
Bad week for Rhino in Kenya:
Gunshots rang out across the wilderness on 23 May when poachers shot to death one rhino in Lake Nakuru National Park. Then three days later on 26 May they struck two sites, Solio Ranch near Nyeri in central Kenya, and at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary in Tsavo West National Park killing one rhino in each protected area. The very next day they struck again at Meru National Park in the north of the country where they shot yet another rhino. Two days later on 29 May, three more rhino were poached on a private ranch Oserian Wildlife Sanctuary.
All of these sanctuaries were created specifically to save rhinos in Kenya. Although the authorities heard the gunshots in every case, and even saw the poachers cutting horns in Oserian, no arrests have been made, and all the horns except those of the Oserian rhinos were taken.
All of these sanctuaries were created specifically to save rhinos in Kenya. Although the authorities heard the gunshots in every case, and even saw the poachers cutting horns in Oserian, no arrests have been made, and all the horns except those of the Oserian rhinos were taken.
But not just Kenya:
If the situation is bad in Kenya, in South Africa it is catastrophic. The country has already lost 350 rhinos this year. According to Martin the rocketing value of rhino horn is a major reason for the ongoing slaughter of rhinos in Africa. Only 6 years ago it was valued at USD 4-5000/kg. Today it goes for ten times that amount and more in Vietnam. This week poachers will have made tens of thousands of dollars each. The combined weight of the eight rhino horns they took is approximately 24 – 32 kg. At these prices the challenge of halting the crisis seems remote.
Jun 14, 2013, 8:14 am
#64
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Rhino carnage continues
"South Africa is losing more than two rhinos a day to poachers and if the current trend continues, come year end the national population will be down by 913, a staggering 245 more than were killed last year.
Arrests in connection with rhino poaching nationally currently stand at 121, with 56 of these in the Kruger National Park and while no nationality details of those arrested are disclosed, the majority are believed to be Mozambicans. This is evidenced from SANParks statements on rhino poaching this year and last.
Against this background of the increasing carnage, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa will tomorrow meet Mozambican Tourism Minister Carvalho Muaria as part of ongoing efforts to improve relations between the two countries.
The talks, according to Ministry spokesman Albi Modise, are expected to focus on the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier conservation Area, established 11 years ago, with an “emphasis on the scourge of rhino poaching”.
The total number of rhinos killed by poachers to date this year is 408 with more than half – 265 – lost from the Kruger population of about 21 000.
SANParks management has upped the intensity of its anti-poaching operations by bringing in a retired army general to head up the effort. In addition to the Kruger ranger corps, Johan Jooste can also call on the assistance of SA Army soldiers employed on border protection duty, police as well as SA Air Force helicopters and SANParks own aircraft along with a Seeker UAV made available by Denel Dynamics and a Seeker Seabird reconnaissance aircraft compliments of the Paramount Group."
Source
(KNP rhino numbers have never been anywhere near 21 000, by the way. No idea where they got that number from).
Johan
Arrests in connection with rhino poaching nationally currently stand at 121, with 56 of these in the Kruger National Park and while no nationality details of those arrested are disclosed, the majority are believed to be Mozambicans. This is evidenced from SANParks statements on rhino poaching this year and last.
Against this background of the increasing carnage, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa will tomorrow meet Mozambican Tourism Minister Carvalho Muaria as part of ongoing efforts to improve relations between the two countries.
The talks, according to Ministry spokesman Albi Modise, are expected to focus on the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier conservation Area, established 11 years ago, with an “emphasis on the scourge of rhino poaching”.
The total number of rhinos killed by poachers to date this year is 408 with more than half – 265 – lost from the Kruger population of about 21 000.
SANParks management has upped the intensity of its anti-poaching operations by bringing in a retired army general to head up the effort. In addition to the Kruger ranger corps, Johan Jooste can also call on the assistance of SA Army soldiers employed on border protection duty, police as well as SA Air Force helicopters and SANParks own aircraft along with a Seeker UAV made available by Denel Dynamics and a Seeker Seabird reconnaissance aircraft compliments of the Paramount Group."
Source
(KNP rhino numbers have never been anywhere near 21 000, by the way. No idea where they got that number from).
Johan
Jun 20, 2013, 2:03 pm
#66
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t rejects appeal by Kruger Park trespasser
The Nelspruit Regional Court rejected an appeal on Wednesday by a man jailed for eight years for trespassing in the Kruger National Park.
Abel Mfana Mashabane, 26, from Phalaborwa, appealed against his sentence in court, a Sapa correspondent reported.
Mashabane was shot and injured, and another man killed, when rangers confronted them at Houtboschrand in the Kruger Park on May 17 last year. A third man escaped.
A fresh white rhino horn was found in Mashabane's bag. He was not found guilty of possession after he successfully argued that he did not know how it got into his bag and that it may have been planted there during his arrest.
Magistrate Sheila Msibi said another court would have made the same judgment that she had, based on the evidence and testimonies presented in court.
"Therefore the application for leave to appeal against the conviction is dismissed," Msibi said.
Mashabane was sentenced to eight years for carrying out a restricted activity and three for trespassing. The sentences would run concurrently.
Eight years of very restricted activity for "a restricted activity" sounds about right to me.
Johan
Abel Mfana Mashabane, 26, from Phalaborwa, appealed against his sentence in court, a Sapa correspondent reported.
Mashabane was shot and injured, and another man killed, when rangers confronted them at Houtboschrand in the Kruger Park on May 17 last year. A third man escaped.
A fresh white rhino horn was found in Mashabane's bag. He was not found guilty of possession after he successfully argued that he did not know how it got into his bag and that it may have been planted there during his arrest.
Magistrate Sheila Msibi said another court would have made the same judgment that she had, based on the evidence and testimonies presented in court.
"Therefore the application for leave to appeal against the conviction is dismissed," Msibi said.
Mashabane was sentenced to eight years for carrying out a restricted activity and three for trespassing. The sentences would run concurrently.
Eight years of very restricted activity for "a restricted activity" sounds about right to me.
Johan
Jun 20, 2013, 2:05 pm
#67
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I don't have one, because it turns out that SANParks' census figures and methods are highly suspect. Off the top of my head, the highest fnumber of White rhino they ever claimed for the KNP was around 13,000.
Johan
Johan
Jun 22, 2013, 3:33 am
#69
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Tanzania's plan to increase protection of its elephants:
http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articl.../06/feature-02
http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articl.../06/feature-02
Jun 22, 2013, 7:24 pm
#70
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Tanzania's plan to increase protection of its elephants:
http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articl.../06/feature-02
http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articl.../06/feature-02
Wow-- that's great. I hope the other countries follow suit.
And here's what happens when the poachers just tranquilize the animals and cut off their horns ( very very graphic, I could not actually watch the video after seeing the opening photo)
http://vimeo.com/42899889
Last edited by StartinSanDiego; Jul 12, 2013 at 9:05 am
Jul 30, 2013, 6:51 am
#71
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Jail Terms for Limpopo Rhino Poachers
"Two convicted rhino poachers were sentenced to six years imprisonment by the Makhado Magistrate's Court on Monday, Limpopo police said.
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said Enock Mutungi, 38, and Mozambican national Daniel Dumusani, 48, were found guilty of rhino poaching in Masisi, in the Kruger National Park.
Meanwhile, three men appeared in the Giyani Magistrate's Court on Monday after they were arrested at the park.
They were detained when they were allegedly found in possession of firearms and ammunition on Sunday.
“During their appearance they were charged with illegal hunting, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and trespassing,” Mulaudzi said in a statement.
Gaspara Chabalala, 34, Antoni Chabalala, 33, and Ronald Baloyi, 28, were expected to appear again in the Giyani Magistrate's Court on Thursday"
Source
jOHAN
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said Enock Mutungi, 38, and Mozambican national Daniel Dumusani, 48, were found guilty of rhino poaching in Masisi, in the Kruger National Park.
Meanwhile, three men appeared in the Giyani Magistrate's Court on Monday after they were arrested at the park.
They were detained when they were allegedly found in possession of firearms and ammunition on Sunday.
“During their appearance they were charged with illegal hunting, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and trespassing,” Mulaudzi said in a statement.
Gaspara Chabalala, 34, Antoni Chabalala, 33, and Ronald Baloyi, 28, were expected to appear again in the Giyani Magistrate's Court on Thursday"
Source
jOHAN
Aug 1, 2013, 7:44 am
#72
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Mozambique Poaching Has Regional Effects
"Mozambique says it is committed to fighting wildlife crime, especially elephant and rhino poaching. Thousands of elephants were killed in the country between 2009 and 2012. Poachers also use Mozambique as a base for regional criminal activities.
Mozambique has been under growing pressure to take a much tougher stand against poaching. Neighboring South Africa and conservation groups want the government to adhere to CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. A CITES meeting earlier this year in Thailand singled-out Mozambique for its lack of action on poaching.
“Mozambique increasingly has become one of the major exit points for both rhino horn and elephant ivory. We’re facing a crisis for both species. And, in particular, the Vietnamese syndicates that are behind the rhino horn trade – it’s very clear with the improved law enforcement effort being made in South Africa that they’ve moved next door to Mozambique,” said Tom Milliken, elephant and rhino coordinator for TRAFFIC International, a wildlife trade monitoring network.
He said that action taken by Mozambique will have a direct effect on South Africa.
“Mozambique nationals are heavily involved in the poaching of rhinos in Kruger National Park, which is the premier wildlife site in South Africa. Hundreds of rhinos are being killed in that park and mostly by Mozambican nationals, who are crossing over the border killing the animals -- bringing the horns back --selling them to the Vietnamese syndicates behind the trade. And then the horns are leaving for Asia out of airports and seaports from Mozambique.”
But poachers have taken a big toll within Mozambique itself.
“Mozambique’s largest elephant population is in the north of the country along the Ravuma River in a place called the Niassa Game Reserve. This is the largest population hey have and it’s a shared population with Tanzania. But we think just in the last three years or so about 2,500 elephants have probably been killed. I recently saw mortality data of carcasses that have been found. And we’re sometimes seeing family groups of six to eight elephants all gunned down at the same time,” he said.
It’s unclear how much money poachers get for a rhino horn or elephant tusk, but Milliken said you can get a pretty good idea.
“Some of the poachers who go into Kruger National Park from Mozambique – they’re the only people in their village that have houses with a solid foundation and sometimes they even drive Toyota Land Cruisers. So, it’s hugely lucrative for some individuals; and unfortunately, even though they’re criminals, they become the role models for the youth in that society because they’re so economically successful,” he said.
Mozambique is now reviewing its penal code to eventually make poaching a criminal offense that carries stiff penalties.
Concerns over poaching go beyond Mozambique’s wildlife. Milliken said it can harm the country’s national security.
“So many of these criminal syndicates that are driving the rhino horn and ivory trades are Asian nationals, who are operating from bases within African countries. And if they’re operating successfully, it also means that they’re expanding their activities. They’re becoming more entrenched. Organized crime is not shy about using corruption or intimidation to get what they want. And so all of this is unfolding in these countries.”
He said the same crime syndicates involved in poaching may also be involved in drugs and human trafficking.
"
Johan
Mozambique has been under growing pressure to take a much tougher stand against poaching. Neighboring South Africa and conservation groups want the government to adhere to CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. A CITES meeting earlier this year in Thailand singled-out Mozambique for its lack of action on poaching.
“Mozambique increasingly has become one of the major exit points for both rhino horn and elephant ivory. We’re facing a crisis for both species. And, in particular, the Vietnamese syndicates that are behind the rhino horn trade – it’s very clear with the improved law enforcement effort being made in South Africa that they’ve moved next door to Mozambique,” said Tom Milliken, elephant and rhino coordinator for TRAFFIC International, a wildlife trade monitoring network.
He said that action taken by Mozambique will have a direct effect on South Africa.
“Mozambique nationals are heavily involved in the poaching of rhinos in Kruger National Park, which is the premier wildlife site in South Africa. Hundreds of rhinos are being killed in that park and mostly by Mozambican nationals, who are crossing over the border killing the animals -- bringing the horns back --selling them to the Vietnamese syndicates behind the trade. And then the horns are leaving for Asia out of airports and seaports from Mozambique.”
But poachers have taken a big toll within Mozambique itself.
“Mozambique’s largest elephant population is in the north of the country along the Ravuma River in a place called the Niassa Game Reserve. This is the largest population hey have and it’s a shared population with Tanzania. But we think just in the last three years or so about 2,500 elephants have probably been killed. I recently saw mortality data of carcasses that have been found. And we’re sometimes seeing family groups of six to eight elephants all gunned down at the same time,” he said.
It’s unclear how much money poachers get for a rhino horn or elephant tusk, but Milliken said you can get a pretty good idea.
“Some of the poachers who go into Kruger National Park from Mozambique – they’re the only people in their village that have houses with a solid foundation and sometimes they even drive Toyota Land Cruisers. So, it’s hugely lucrative for some individuals; and unfortunately, even though they’re criminals, they become the role models for the youth in that society because they’re so economically successful,” he said.
Mozambique is now reviewing its penal code to eventually make poaching a criminal offense that carries stiff penalties.
Concerns over poaching go beyond Mozambique’s wildlife. Milliken said it can harm the country’s national security.
“So many of these criminal syndicates that are driving the rhino horn and ivory trades are Asian nationals, who are operating from bases within African countries. And if they’re operating successfully, it also means that they’re expanding their activities. They’re becoming more entrenched. Organized crime is not shy about using corruption or intimidation to get what they want. And so all of this is unfolding in these countries.”
He said the same crime syndicates involved in poaching may also be involved in drugs and human trafficking.
"
Johan
Aug 4, 2013, 8:06 am
#73
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The poachers become the people that the youth admire? Those reports just chill me...it reminds me of of the Mexican youth who idolize the "Narcos" and glorify them in pop songs and the like. Never mind the beheadings or the fact that Mexico has nearly lost its border town tourist trade.
Aug 7, 2013, 1:11 am
#74
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Well, the African Western Black Rhino is now officially extinct;
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/news/wes...150259423.html
Won't be long now for the East African version, sad to say.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/news/wes...150259423.html
Won't be long now for the East African version, sad to say.
Aug 7, 2013, 7:48 am
#75
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Five in court for rhino poaching
These are the guys who should be catching the Mozambican poachers!
Nelspruit - Three former SA National Parks (SANParks) employees and two traffic officials accused of rhino poaching appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Tuesday.
A Sapa correspondent reported that former SANParks field ranger Tiyani Mabunda, 25, and former field guides Charles Mabunda, 29, and Duncan Mnisi, 34, appeared alongside provincial traffic officer Ellaraine Jennifer Brown, 28, and former traffic official Doctor Ngwenyama, 33.
Ngwenyama, Mnisi and the two Mabundas were arrested last February after two white rhino carcasses were discovered in the Pretoriuskop section of the Kruger National Park.
Brown, who is married to Ngwenyama, was arrested in May after she was suspected of having transported a rhino horn out of the park.
She first appeared in the White River Magistrate's Court last June and was released on R5000 bail.
The matter was transferred to the Nelspruit Regional Court to be combined with that of her husband and the other accused.
The defence argued that it was not ready for trial as it had not been issued with the proper case documents, including affidavits which had been commissioned.
It asked magistrate Andre Geldenhuys for a postponement so all the documents could be submitted, and that some affidavits could be signed by a commissioner of oaths.
The defence also asked Geldenhuys to suspend some of its clients' bail conditions, including that they should report twice a week at their local police stations.
Defence lawyer E Sithole argued that his client Charles Mabunda had to travel to Gauteng to look for a job, and asked that he be able to report to any police station across the country.
“My client is from Thulamahashe and he needs this bail condition suspended so he can go look for employment. My instruction is for him to be given a chance to report to any other police station in the country, wherever he would be employed,” Sithole told the court.
Geldenhuys said: “I cannot suspend bail conditions for all the suspects. They were imposed by another magistrate in another court, not me.
“I can only suspend (Charles) Mabunda’s bail condition and I will allow him to report once a week to any police station closer to him. That will be communicated with the investigation officer.”
Geldenhuys instructed the State to give the defence all the documents it needed.
He said if there was still no progress in the case, he would have no alternative but to strike the case off the roll.
The matter was postponed to August 13. All the accused are out on bail.
Source
Johan
Nelspruit - Three former SA National Parks (SANParks) employees and two traffic officials accused of rhino poaching appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Tuesday.
A Sapa correspondent reported that former SANParks field ranger Tiyani Mabunda, 25, and former field guides Charles Mabunda, 29, and Duncan Mnisi, 34, appeared alongside provincial traffic officer Ellaraine Jennifer Brown, 28, and former traffic official Doctor Ngwenyama, 33.
Ngwenyama, Mnisi and the two Mabundas were arrested last February after two white rhino carcasses were discovered in the Pretoriuskop section of the Kruger National Park.
Brown, who is married to Ngwenyama, was arrested in May after she was suspected of having transported a rhino horn out of the park.
She first appeared in the White River Magistrate's Court last June and was released on R5000 bail.
The matter was transferred to the Nelspruit Regional Court to be combined with that of her husband and the other accused.
The defence argued that it was not ready for trial as it had not been issued with the proper case documents, including affidavits which had been commissioned.
It asked magistrate Andre Geldenhuys for a postponement so all the documents could be submitted, and that some affidavits could be signed by a commissioner of oaths.
The defence also asked Geldenhuys to suspend some of its clients' bail conditions, including that they should report twice a week at their local police stations.
Defence lawyer E Sithole argued that his client Charles Mabunda had to travel to Gauteng to look for a job, and asked that he be able to report to any police station across the country.
“My client is from Thulamahashe and he needs this bail condition suspended so he can go look for employment. My instruction is for him to be given a chance to report to any other police station in the country, wherever he would be employed,” Sithole told the court.
Geldenhuys said: “I cannot suspend bail conditions for all the suspects. They were imposed by another magistrate in another court, not me.
“I can only suspend (Charles) Mabunda’s bail condition and I will allow him to report once a week to any police station closer to him. That will be communicated with the investigation officer.”
Geldenhuys instructed the State to give the defence all the documents it needed.
He said if there was still no progress in the case, he would have no alternative but to strike the case off the roll.
The matter was postponed to August 13. All the accused are out on bail.
Source
Johan